EFFECTIVENESS AND LEGAL CHALLENGES FACING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAWS WHICH PROHIBITS THE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE IN TANZANIA

Abstract

The Research paper strives to enlighten a deep examination and analysis of the effectiveness and challenges facing the law which prevents, combat, and curbs wildlife illegal trade and business in entire Tanzania. The authors have thrown light on the existing laws enacted in Tanzania including the regulating bodies like TANAPA, TAWA and not forgetting the Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources, the Police force also the judiciary. The animals which are mainly targeted by the illegal wildlife trade are elephants, leopards, giraffes, rhinos, antelope, and bison as per the report by the World Wildlife Organisation. The government of Tanzania enacted and reviewed the laws including the Wildlife Conservation Act of 2009 which protect, preserves, and conserves wild animals in Tanzania. Another challenge that faces the implementation of the laws prohibiting and combating the illegal wildlife trade in Tanzania is the delay of cases even after the investigation has been completed. Most of the criminal cases especially the wildlife trade fall under the economic organised crimes which are prosecuted by the court as it is the court with jurisdiction.  That in order to curb wildlife illegal trade the government has set down measures including merging wildlife offenses with economic organized crimes. The authors made a maiden attempt to deliberate under this research paper on the existing laws or enactments, policies that are amended from time to time, regulatory bodies, and institutions to combat the illegal poaching of wild animals. Thus, is a need for the government to come up with initiatives that will stop the illegal wildlife trade once and for all are the views of the authors with few recommendations at the end of this research paper.